Fall means cozy evenings, cooler weather and more time together indoors. It’s the season made for family movie nights — blankets, popcorn and a lineup of feel-good films. Whether you’re in the mood for animated adventures, nostalgic throwbacks or timeless classics, this fall movie bucket list has a little something for everyone.
‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001)
Rated: G
Streaming: Disney+
Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is just a regular teen living in San Francisco, until she learns she’s heir to the throne of Genovia. With her grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews), guiding her, Mia fumbles through royal training. Will she embrace her crown, or keep her life as a normal girl?
‘Ratatouille’ (2007)
Rated: G
Streaming: Disney+
Remy the rat (Patton Oswalt) dreams of becoming a professional chef, despite being, well, a rat. Teaming up with clumsy Linguini (Lou Romano), the two cook up a storm to impress France’s toughest food critic. A funny, heartwarming story about chasing dreams (and making delicious food).
‘Remember the Titans’ (2000)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+
Set in 1971 in Alexandria, Virginia, the local school board is forced to integrate an all-Black school with an all-white school, sparking tension on and off the football field. Coach Boone (Denzel Washington) and his players must learn to trust each other, turning rivalry into brotherhood in this powerful true story.
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ (2009)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+, Hulu, YouTube TV and the Roku Channel
George Clooney and Meryl Streep voice the Fox family in this stop-motion film. When Mr. Fox breaks his promise to stop stealing from local farmers, he sets off a battle that puts his home, friends and family at risk.
‘Little Women’ (2019)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Hulu, YouTube TV
The March sisters, Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen) and Amy (Florence Pugh), navigate life, love and loss in Civil War-era Massachusetts. Greta Gerwig’s take on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel blends nostalgia with a fresh perspective.
‘Pride and Prejudice’ (2005)
Rated: PG
Streaming: MGM+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV
In this adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Keira Knightley shines as Elizabeth Bennet in this timeless romance. Sparks fly (and tempers flare) when she meets the proud Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen). Follow along on their journey as they find love.
‘Monsters, Inc.’ (2001)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+
Best friends Sully (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal) are pro scarers at the largest scare factory in the monster universe. Their world is turned upside-down when a little girl named Boo sneaks into the monster world. The pair try to stay calm and get their new friend back home.
‘Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin’ (1997)
Rated: G
Streaming: Disney+
When Christopher Robin (Brady Bluhm) leaves for school, Pooh (Jim Cummings) misunderstands and thinks his friend is lost forever. Pooh and the gang set off on a sweet (and slightly spooky) quest to bring him back to the Hundred Acre Wood.
‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)
Rated: PG-13
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) seems to have it all. She follows her ex to Harvard Law, but ends up proving she’s more than just pink outfits and charm.
‘101 Dalmatians’ (1996)
Rated: G
Streaming: Disney+
Cruella de Vil wants a fur coat made of Dalmatian puppies and will stop at nothing to get it. This live-action adventure follows dog parents Pongo and Perdita as they rally to save their spotted family.
‘13 Going on 30′ (2004)
Rated: PG-13
Streaming: Hulu, Fubo TV, Pluto TV
Awkward teen Jenna wishes to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving.” The next day, she wakes up as a 30-year-old woman in New York City. Faced with the struggles of navigating adulthood, Jenna learns being a kid maybe isn’t so bad.
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Peacock, HBO Max, Hulu and YouTube TV
Eleven-year-old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has spent nearly his whole life living in the cupboard under the stairs of his aunt and uncle. His life changes forever when he discovers he’s a wizard and begins his journey at Hogwarts, where he meets his best friends and his most dangerous enemy.
‘The Goonies’ (1985)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
A group of misfit kids stumble upon a pirate treasure map and set off on an adventure. Danger and laughs follow, because “Goonies never say die!”
‘Wicked’ (2024)
Rated: PG
Streaming: The Roku Channel
This Broadway sensation hits the big screen, telling the untold story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) before Dorothy ever arrived in Oz. As Elphaba works to fulfill a lifelong dream of meeting the great Wizard of Oz, she discovers her hero isn’t who she thought.
‘The Book of Life′ (2014)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Manolo embarks on an adventure through three different worlds, where he faces his greatest fears to help him choose between his family’s expectations and his true passion.
‘Air Bud’ (1997)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
High schooler Josh (Kevin Zegers) is struggling after the death of his father and a big move to Washington. Josh discovers his dog Bud has an incredible talent: He can play basketball. Just when things start looking up, Bud’s former owner tries to take him back.
‘Rudy′ (1993)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, “Rudy” is the ultimate underdog story. Rudy (Sean Astin) dreams of playing football at Notre Dame. Against all odds, he proves heart matters more than size.
‘You’ve Got Mail’ (1998)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan shine in this rom-com classic about bookstore rivals who unknowingly fall in love online.
‘October Sky’ (1999)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Peacock
Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his brother Jim (Scott Miles) are the sons of a West Virginia coal miner who expects his boys to follow in his footsteps. After seeing Sputnik cross the sky, Homer dreams of building rockets — hoping it will be his ticket to a better life.
‘Matilda′ (1996)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) may have terrible parents and a terrifying principal, but with her wit, courage and telekinetic powers, she discovers the magic of standing up for herself and her friends.
‘Paddington 2’ (2017)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Paddington the bear is happy-go-lucky, spreading good vibes everywhere he goes. He finds the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, but his plans go awry when a thief steals the gift. Paddington embarks on a quest to find the thief in time for his aunt’s big birthday bash.